Editor loves and inspiration

Katy and Oliver met as students working in the local social club bar. They soon became friends and two years later their relationship blossomed into a beautiful romance!

While on holiday in Placa De Catalunya, Barcelona, on one knee pretending to snap a photo of Katy, Oliver pulled the engagement ring out of his bag. “Hold on I just need to ask you something,” he said to a completely taken aback Katy. He asked her to marry him, and she was so shocked she didn't answer at first! It took a repeat of the question for her to accept. “Our 10 year anniversary was later in the year, so Katy was expecting me to propose then,” Oliver explains.

As a child, Oliver was a chorister at Liverpool Cathedral and believed it would be the perfect place to marry. “We both wanted a religious ceremony and an iconic Liverpool landmark, so the Cathedral really was our dream venue,” Oliver shares. For their ensuing celebrations, the couple chose The Racquet Club since they were looking for a central location. “We loved the size of the venue, and the fact it was also a hotel, so our bridal party could stay the night of the wedding,” Oliver explains. “It was lovely to wake up the next day and all have a breakfast together and reflect on our wedding the day before.”

Find out more about the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue. Download it for free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Our cover couple Megan and Tom met at work and immediately felt comfortable around each other. They soon became fast friends having discovered plenty of mutual interests. “Mostly, we made each other laugh and really happy,” Megan says.

Tom proposed to Megan in August 2022, while on a family holiday in Spain. “We were all out together enjoying a meal and Tom suddenly dropped to one knee. I'm not sure it was the most romantic of settings, but it was a surprise and felt very special having our family with us to celebrate,” Megan shares.

The couple viewed a number of venues before they decided on Cranage Estate. “I felt it ticked all the boxes for us,” Megan explains. “It's a beautiful building outside and in, the grounds are lovely, the function room was the right size for us, and most importantly, there were plenty of guest rooms meaning our family and friends could stay overnight.”

Find out more about Megan and Tom's big day in the current issue from page 22. Download the issue free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

David M Robinson's (https://davidmrobinson.co.uk) Altrincham showroom manager, Jackie Salmon also shares some of her top styles to look out for: “Trends for gents are 4 or 5mm classic court-shaped wedding rings in precious metals such as platinum or 18ct yellow gold. For ladies, it's diamond set slim wedding bands to complement the engagement ring, and our new range of multi-cut diamond ring designs are worth a look if you wish to choose something more modern.”

For more, turn to PAGE 45 of the current issue. Download it free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

David M Robinson also has showrooms in Liverpool.

The bountiful beauty of nature throughout the seasons has inspired many a wedding theme and palette. So, with the big-day bake being more than a just sweet treat but also a showstopping centrepiece for your reception space, we decided to ask the region’s wedding cake designers to show us their favourite seasonally inspired creations.

I love this stunning Wedgewood blue bake from Boutique Bakery (www.boutiquebakery.co.uk). It's giving me Bridgerton vibes! Beautiful for the spring.

Find you more from page 35 of the current issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Danielle and Aaron met online in 2021 and spent their first date in Liverpool where they visited Roxy Ballroom and played beer pong. “I think we were attracted to each other because of our common interests. We're both Harry Potter geeks, and like Disney, quizzes and travel. We're also close to our families and share similar values,” Danielle says.

Aaron proposed in Iceland with the Northern Lights as his backdrop. He'd hidden the engagement ring inside a golden snitch and Danielle thought he was handing her a new Christmas tree ornament to look at! “It was such a surprise,” Danielle remembers. “He'd organised a birthday trip to the Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter the previous month and I'd thought he'd maybe propose then. So, when he didn't, I just thought he wasn't considering it anytime soon.”

When the couple set out on their venue search, they came across Heaton House Farm, and as it happened, visited it two years to the day that they would ultimately tie the knot there. “It was all set up for Christmas with a 20ft tree and twinkly lights,” Danielle remembers. “This made us fall in love with it and decide to have our wedding there at Christmastime.” The two were also attracted by the various spaces that could be hidden and revealed as their day unfolded.

To find out more about Danielleand Aaron's big day from page 30 of the current issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

I don't mind telling you I've fallen head over heels in love with real wedding woofer Barclay. His fur dad, Dan, wasn't too happy though when he had to wash him on the morning of his wedding after the naughty chap decided to jump into the venue's pond.

Find out more about Stacey and Dan's (and Barclay's) big day from page 26 of the current issue, free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

There's something about Rookery Hall (www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/rookeryhall) in Nantwich that says 'romance.' With its fountain lawn, wonderful gardens, beautiful architecture, stunning views and stylish banqueting suites, it's hard to imagine a more fitting location for saying “I do.”

Set in 38 acres of lawns and gardens in the Cheshire countryside, this Georgian manor house offers a contemporary and stylish home for your wedding accommodating up to 160 guests. Striking, elegant and full of character each ceremony setting offers an idyllic backdrop.

To find out more about Rookery Hall and other historical venues in the region, download the latest issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Following the joys, stresses and excitement of wedding planning, when it comes to your honeymoon, it's time to breathe deeply and slow down. Capo d'Orso, one of the properties in the family-run Delphina Hotels & Resorts portfolio, is the ideal place to get in touch with nature and get to know your wedded partner all over again. It truly is a couple's paradise, where privacy is paramount. Even during peak season, the hotel has so many intimate spots, hidden hammocks and secluded nooks for you to sunbathe and read a book or simply enjoy a glass of wine gazing out to sea, you'll never feel overlooked.

Find out more in the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Conceived in 1989 as an experimental lab, Atelier Versace focuses on innovation and research. The Atelier's pursuit of only the highest quality ingredients and exceptional craftsmanship has now been translated into a range of exclusive fragrances, which has recently expanded to include four beautiful new scents: Amber Nectar, Rose Flamboyante, Rêve de Myrrhe and the special edition Patchouli Précieux. All fragrances are £300 for 100ml, available at Harrods and Selfridges.

Download the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding for more beauty news: www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download

Emma has been the owner of Maria Modes for nine years, which is a little different from most boutiques. A wedding department store, it offers not only bridal but bridesmaids, menswear and mother-of-the-bride/groom too. Located in Macclesfield, it's set over three spacious floors. “We aim for laid-back luxury as our mantra, bringing you the most gorgeous offering (if I do say so myself!) of fashion forward and traditional wedding dresses, and everything in between,” Emma says.

For more local bridal bouqtique inspiration and wisdom, download the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding at https://www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download